Automatic spike-machine.



3 C. DILWORTH & C. 8. WEEKS.

AUTOMATIC SPIKE MACHINE. APPLICATEQN FILED JUNE 1.3, 1914.

1.7, SHEETS-SHEET I.

Lwflfififiu Patented Aug. 17, 1915.

0 WITNESSES N INVENTORS J. c. DILWOHTH & c. 8. WEEKS.

AUTOMATIC SPIKE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE [3, 1914.

Patented. Aug". 17, 1915.

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WITNESSES J. C. DILWDRTH & C. S. WEEKS.

AUTOMATIC SPIKE MACHINE.

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AUTOMATIC SPIKE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13, I914.

1 1 5fi65o Patented. Aug. 17, 1915.

H. SHEETS-SHEET 4.

WITNESSES INVENTOH' I. C. DELWORTH & C S. WEEKS.

AUTOMATiC SPIKE FAMIHME.

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AUTOMATIC SPIKE MACHINE.

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AUTOMATIC SPIKE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13. 1914.

Patented Aug. 17, 1915.

17 SHEETSS-HET z.

ESSES INVENTOR J. C. DILWORTH & C. S. WEEKS.

AUTOMATIC SPIKE MACHINE.

' 1 APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13. 1914. 1.150.665. Patented Aug. 17, 1915.

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WITNESSES J. C. DiLWORTH & C. 8. WEEKS.

AUTOMATIC SPIKE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13. 1914.

1,150,665. Patented Aug. 17, 1915.

17 SHEETSSHEET 9- WITNESSES INVENTORS 0 I I M J. C. DILWORTH & C. S. WEEKS.

AUTOMATIC SPIKE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13, 1914.

Patented Aug. 17, 1915.

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mum-Eon a WITNESSES J. 0 DILWORTH & c. 3. WEEKS.

AUTOMATIC SPIKE MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13, 1914.

l, 1 50,665. Patented Aug. 17, 1915.

I7 SHEETSSHEET l 1- FWZZ 43 I I l i I I Z 7 WITNESSES INVENTORS J. C. -DILWORTH & c. 8. WEEKS.

vAUTOMATIC SPIKE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13. 1914.

Patented Aug. 17, 1915.

17 SHEETS'SHE ET l2.

1. c. DILWORTH & 0. 8. WEEKS.

AUTOMATIC SPIKE MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE-13. I914.

Llfi fifi5u I PatentedAug. 17,1915.

1] SHEETS-SHEET 13.

Qidm Lc. DILWORTH & c. 8'. WEEKS.

AUTOMATIC SPIKE MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13, 1914.

Patented Aug. 17,1915.

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J. C. DILWORTH, & (J. 8. WEEKS.

AUTOMATIC SPIKE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED J-UNE13. 191

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AUTOMATIC SPIKE MACHINE.

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INVENTPRS iifl m a G UQLS d gmur mm n WETED TATE T FFIE JOHN G. DILWORTI-I, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, AND CHARLES S. WEEKS, OF

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS TO DILWORTH, PORTER & C0. LTIL, OF PITTS- BURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP.

AUTOMATIC SPIKE-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Au 17, R9115.

Application filed June 13, 1914. Serial No. 844,986.

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Be it known that we, JOHN C. DILWORTH and CHARLES S. VVEEns, citizens of the United States, residing at Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, and in Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, respectively, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Automatic Spike-Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in \vhich Figure 1 is a plan view-of one form of our improved machine; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the machine; Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line IIIIII of Fig. 2; Fig. ii. is a detail side elevation of the adjusting mechanism for the hearings for the header; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the machine showing the device for the feeding mechanism; Fig. 6 is a front view; Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the housing for the feeding mechanism from the other side of that shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is a detail side elevation of a portion of the machine showing the die-operating mechanism; Fig. 9- is a side elevation of the cam member for operating the die mechanism; Fig. 10 is a plan view thereof; Fig. 11 is a detail side elevation of the split collars for endwise adjustment of the feeding roll spindles; Fig. 12 is a detail side elevation partially in section of the nippers and their carriage; Fig. '18 is a plan view of the nippers and their operating connections: Fig. 14 is a diagram of the nippers showing them in full lines in their rearmost positions after the blank has been dropped and in dotted lines in their forward position before closing on the next blank; Fig. 15 is a similar view showing thesnippers in full lines closed in their forward position and in dotted lines in their rearmost position just prior to drop ping the blank into the die; Fig. 1G is a detail side elevation of the ratchet mechanism for actuating the stock-feeding and blank-cutting rolls, the gears being omitted forclearness: Fig. 17 is a sectional view on the line XVILXVII of Fig. 16; Fig. 18 is a partial plan view of the blank-holding die and a portion of the operating mechanism; Fig. 19 is a sectional view on the line XIX-XIX of Fig. 18; Fig, 20 is a perspective view of the movable die block; Fig. 521 is a side elevation thereof; Fig. 29. is a plan view of the wedge for actuating the movable die member; Fig. 23 is a side elevation thereof; Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the hardened or anvil portion of the stationary die member. Fig. 25 is a perspective view of the ejector for removing the finished spike from the die; Fig. 26 is a detail side elevation of the nipper-operating connections; Fig. 27 is a detail sectional view on the line XXVIIXVII of Fi 26; Fig. 28 is a similar view on the line XXVIIIXXVHI of Fig. 27; Fig. 29 is a front view of the stock-feeding and cutting rolls; Fig. 30 is a sectional view on the line XXX-XXX of Fig. 29; Fig. 31 is a detail sectional view on the line XXXI- XXXI of Fig. 5; Fig. 31 is a detail view hereinafter referred to; Fig. 32 is a trans verse sectional view through portions of the die and the gripper, showing a blank in position; Fig. 33 is alongitudinal view through Fig. 32; and Fig. 34 is a diagram illustrating the relative movements of the various parts of the machine.

Heretofore, two types of spike machines have been used, one known as the automatic machine and the other as the hand-fed machine. In the automatic machine, the heated bar is fed forward and cut "as and pointed by means of feed rings and recessed rollers having knives intermittently turned by a ratchet movement. The cut and pointed spike blank is then transferred by nippers to a solid longitudinal die having two sides anda bottom, into the cavity of which it is dropped. A gripper is then forced down on this blank, which projects slightly above the die and the header then forms the head at one end of the blank. The finished spike is then thrown out in the direction of the header, which has been drawn back by a. pin or discharge device, which is forced up through a hole in the bottom of the die. To prevent the spike from sticking when thrown out. the die in this case is formed with side walls which taper inwardly and downwardly toward each other to cause draft. This is objectionable, as it does not form a rectan gular spike. Moreover, as the spike blank project-s above the top of the die, a portion of the spike head is not die-shaped and conbar engagement in withdrawing from a railroad tie.

In the hand-fed machine, there is no pointing of the spike, this being an after operation. In such machine, the bar is pushed forward by the operator, is cut off without pointing, and is clamped horizontally between one die member having a flat clamping face and another of L-section, the horizontal ledge of the latter serving as a bottom for the con'lplete die and the vertical )ortion serving as a clamping side. The blank is then clamped vertically between the bottom part of the die and a gripping member, which descends upon the blank from above, and, while thus supported as to its four sides, the head is formed on a portion of the length of the blank which protrudes from the die. In such case, there is, of course, no automatic feeding and no transfer mechanism for engaging a cut blank and transferring it into the die.

Our invention is designed to give the advantages of both the automatic machine and the hand-fed machine, to prevent any sticking of the spike in the automatic machine,

to improve the discharging operation and give a better article than heretofore formed in the automatic machines, both by making the opposite sides of the spike body of the same width, doing a\ 'ay. with the draft, and by forming a better head by reason of entirely closing the blank.

One of the main features of our invention consists in combining aside-opening die with an automatic feed and pointing device and a transfer mechanism which transfers the pointed blank from the feed and pointing mechanism to the side-opening die,

\Vith this combination is also preferably employed agripper which clamps the cut and pointed-blank in the cavity of the side-opening die.

Another feature of our invention lies in providing a removable housing or frame which contains the adjustable feeding and pointing mechanism. Heretofore, in automatic spike machines, the setting and adjusting of, the feeding rings, pointing knives, etc, must be carried out in the mill with the parts in the machine. This involves a long delay in resetting and adj usting, whereas in our improved system this setting, adjusting and changing operation may take place independently of the machine and in advance of requirements. An extra housing complete with all parts is provided with the machine, so that the stoppage for changing feeds is limited to the time required for releasing and removing one housing and substituting and securing the other.

Another feature of our invention lies in providing a quick throw-off for the roll feed, located Within reach of the operator feeding bars of stock to the machine, and affording instant relief, in case of the jamming of blanks in the dies.

Another feature of our invention lies in a straight line action machine in which the blank-feeding, pointing, transferring and the actuating mechanism for the header are all in the same straight line, avoiding the roundabout connections heretofore used for actuating the header. With this arrangement, we also preferably employ a forked member actuating the gripper, the fork straddling the direct header-actuating mechanisin and being operated preferably from the same shaft. W'e also employ positive actuating mechanism for the gripper, both for raising it froln contact with the spike blank,-as well as for gripping the same, thereby obviating the jamming of the ma chine, which has heretofore resulted from other arrangements which lacked the positive raising of the gripper from contact with the spike blank.

Another feature of our invention lies in new and improved carrying mechanism for the nippers or transferring device, wherein we employ rotative bearings only and avoid the excessive wear and cutting, due to grit, scale and water, which accon'ipanies the use of the reciprocating slides commonly used for carrying the nippers in machines of this character. Also, in independent adjustments for these nippers, whereby the longitudinal and lateral positions of their gripping members relative to the blank-holding die may either be changed, without change or interference with the other.

Other features of our invention relate to the device for simultaneously adjusting and maintaining the alinement of the rocker arm bearing blocks for the header ram, while positioning them to give the correct flow of the metal in forming the head of the spike. Also to arranging all the principal adjustments of the machine, so that they can be controlled from one side thereof.

The device comprises a continuously-rotated main driving shaft, which is connected by means of pawl-and-ratchet mechanism with the stock-feeding and blank-cutting rolls, which are intermittently rotated to cut and feed the blanks to :1V point where they are grasped by nippers, which carry the succes sive blanks fonvardly and drop them into a two-part holding die, which is then closed to grip the sides of the blank, the top of the blank being engaged by a gri 'iper so that the blank is approxiimitely entirely inclosed within a holding die formed of the two die members and the gripper. The head is then formed by means of a heading tool, located between the two arms of the nippers and actuated by means of a direct connection with the main shaft.

The precise nature of our invention will be best understood by reference to the ac con'ipanying drawings, which will now be described, it being premised, however, that various changes in the details of construction and general arrangements of the parts may be made, without departing from the spirit and scope of our invention, as defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings. the numeral 2 designates the main frame which comprises two vertical side men'ibers, the rear end member 3, a. front member 4, and an intermediate member 5,'connected together by means of trans verse bolts (3. Resting on the front member 4, and held in position against the lugs 7, by means of the set screws 8. is a rectangular feed frame 9., which is provided with openings 10, for journal blocks 11, in which the spindles 12 of the stock feed rolls 13 are journaled. These blocks are held from lateral movement by means of cap plates 14, which are secured to the feed frame bybolts 15. This feed frame is also held in position with relation to the main frame and the end member 4. by means-of bolts 16, which extend through lugs on the side menil'iers 2 of the main frame and set screws 8, which are threaded through lugs on one end and one side of the front member 4, and confine the base of the frame 9 against opposing lugs on the front member 4, thus providing a fixed position for the frame 9 in its relation to the front member -l and to the main frame.

Journaled in hearings in the. main frame 2 is a shaft 17, which is constantly driven and is provided with a fly wheel 1h. Journalcd in bearings in the main frame is a shaft 20, and rotatably mounted on one end of this shaft is a bell crank lever 21, one arm of this bell crank lever being connected to an eccentric rod 2:2. which is actuated by an eccentric 23. on the driving shaft 17. The other end of this bell crank lever is connected to one end ofa link '22, the other end of the link being connected to a pawl arm 24, which carries a spring-pressed pawl 25, for actuating the feed rolls. Pivotally connected to the side of the front member l on the same side of the machine that the feedoperating mechanism is located is a bracket 26. which is rotatably mounted on a pin or bolt 20 and is held in position bv means of a bolt 27. 28 is an adjusting screw. for adjusting the position of the bracket for the purpose hereinafter described. Fixed in this bracket 26 is a short stud shaft 29, and mounted on this shaft 29 is a sleeve 30, on which is rcmovablv mounted a gear 31, and av ratchet wheel 32, which are connected to each other by means of a pin 39 The ratchet whcel '32 is connected to the sleeve ill) by means f the key 30, as can clcarlv be seen bv reference to Fig. 17. The ratchet arm 24 is loosclv journaled on the outer end of the sleeve 30 and the sleeve and several parts are held in proper position by means of a washer 34 and a nut 35, on the end of the shaft 29. The pawl 25 is formed in tegral with a short stud shaft 36, which has a bearing in the pawl arm 2- and connected tothe outer end of this shaft 361m the outer side of the pawl arm is a dog 37. Hotatably mounted on a. bearing formed on the pawl arm 24 and concentric with the shaft 25) is a cam plate 38, which is held loosely to the side. of the pawl arm 24 by means of a nut and washer on the shouldered stud 39; and 4-0 is a spring-pressed plunger seated in an opening in the pawl arm and made with a truncated cone on its outer end for engaging two suitable recesses, one formed in the base of the stem 40 and the other in the inner face of the cam plate 38, so located as, in a measure, to lock the cam plate 38 in either of its two extren'ie positions, as shown in full and dotted lines in Fig. 16. Connected to this plate 38 is the operating stem 40, which extends in a lateral direction for shifting the cam plate to throw the pawl into and out of action. \Vhcn the plate is in the full line position, the pawl 25 is held against the ratchet wheel 32 by means of the spring 41, and when the cam plate 38- is moved to the dotted line position. the cam plate :JS willflengage and shift the dog 37 together with the pawl 25 to shift and hold the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet wheel and stop the feed of the stock. The operation of feeding the stock into the machine is accomplished by means of the feed rings 13, Fig. 25), which engage the lateral sides of the stock and carry it forward by friction.

The cutting rolls 13 do not engage the stock at their perimeter, but are provided with cutters 42, as can be seen by reference to Fig. 30, the number of which is equal to the number of ratchet teeth on the ratchet wheel 32. Connected to the outer ends of the roll spindles 12 are gear wheels 4-3, which are in mesh with each other, while the lower gear wheel is in mesh with the gear wheel 31, connected to the ratchet wheel 32, so that the blank-feeding rings and cutting rolls will be rotated one-fifth of a revolution for 'each revolution of the main driving shaft 17. The upper roll spindle bearing blocks 11 are adjustedbymeans of the adjusting screws 45.

In order to prevent the rolls from being rotated beyond the point to which they are advanced by means of the pawl 25, we provide a friction brake 4b, which partially encircles the spindle ofthe upper roll and is connected to the frame 9 and is similar to the friction brake shown in Fig. i

In order to prevcnt the rolls from moving lougitiulinally, we form a neck 47 on the spindles thereof, each of which is engaged by a split collar 48 with a squared extension 

